James Bond's latest literary adventure won't be his last. Author Charlie Higson has confirmed that another novel featuring his adult interpretation of 007 is in development, with work on the follow-up to King Zero already well underway.
The writer, best known for his earlier contributions to the Young Bond series, released King Zero in September. The novel marked his return to the world of James Bond in an adult adventure following his 2023 novella On His Majesty's Secret Service, introducing a dangerous new enemy and sending a British secret agent on an international investigation following the murder of another operative.
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Previous James Bond Will Return
Now, Higson has revealed that readers can expect more, confirming in an interview with Radio Times that his agreement with Ian Fleming Publications covers two books.
“I'm about halfway through the follow-up,” he said. “It was a two-book deal, so I can't sit back and enjoy doing all the publicity for the first one whilst actually thinking about the second one.”
Although details of the next installment remain under wraps, Higson offered an early indication of where the story will take place. “I'd say half of it is set in Italy and half of it is set in the Caribbean,” he teased.
The announcement should come as welcome news to readers who reached the end of King Zero, which closes with the familiar promise that “James Bond will return.” Higson explained that the line originally began as a private joke in the manuscript, before others decided it deserved to stay.
“I wrote that at the end of the manuscript as a sort of in-joke, really,” he said. “But everyone said, ‘No, let's keep it,' and it is true.”
The literary franchise is enjoying a particularly busy period, with several new projects arriving alongside Amazon MGM's upcoming film reboot, including comic books, audio dramas, and more novels.
The untitled film is being directed by Denis Villeneuve (the Dune films) and written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders), with Amy Pascal (Spider-Man: Brand New Day) and David Heyman (the Harry Potter films) on board as producers.
Higson's Bond legacy stretches back to the five Young Bond novels he wrote between 2005 and 2008. His first, SilverFin, has now been adapted into a full-cast audio drama by Big Finish Productions, featuring Isaac Rouse as the young Bond and Higson himself as Michael Merriot.
For now, there's no release date for Higson's next adult Bond novel, but the author has already given readers a reason to look forward to another adventure.
Which Bond project are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
